tanney



Feb. 7, 1956 B. G. TANNEY 2,733,452

HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE 101 kiff 2 51 4f f 24 f5 a2 Z1 2LVAINVENTOR. E Il BERN/A G. TAN/VFY BY Mmm Z/wn ATTORNEY Feb. 7. 1956 B. G.TANNEY 2,733,452

HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE Filed Dec. 27, 1954 s sneetssheet 2FE.E

INVENTOR. BERTHA 6. MNA/EY fY/,LAMM 1%@ Arron/may Feb. 7, 1956 B. G.TANNEY 2,733,452

HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE Filed Dec. 27, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheetl 578 +13 /W inw- 1: mi /ff *Lf 677 l :I wll1 q@ +L ik?? l E j' 3INVEN'I'OR. BERTI-m G. TANA/Y C?" (jf/M15 L TTQRA/E y HOSPITAL PATIENTTRANSFER DEVICE Bertha G. Tanney, `Bethesda, Md.

Application December 27, 1954, SerialvNo. 477,742

10 Claims. (Cl. S--SB VThis invention relates tohospital equipment, andmore particularly to apparatus for .transferring a patient from ahospital bed toa wheeled stretcher, Vand vice versa.

A main object of the invention is .toprovide anovel and improved patienttransfer apparatus adapted to be mounted on a wheeled stretcher andarranged so that a patient may be transferred Athereby .from a hospitalbed to.a stretcher or from the stretcher to the-bed with `a minimumamount of'disturbance ordiscomfort to the patient and with a hminimumamount of effort on the part of the nurse or attendant handling thepatient.

Afurther object-of the inventionis to provide an improved patienttransfer apparatus ywhich can be operated by a single person and whichenables a patient to be transferred to and fro-m a bed in a comfortableand safe manner.

A still further object of theinventionisto provide an improved .patienttransfer apparatus which is simple in construction, which is .easy touse, which is safe inoperation, and which is inexpensive .tomanufacture.

Further objects and advantages of ,the invention will become apparentfrom the vfollowing description and claims, and 'from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

"Figure 1 is a top plan view of a hospital bed and a wheeled stretcherprovided with animproved patient transfer apparatus according to the.present invention, the stretcher being varranged adjacent 4the bed in aposition to transfer a `patientfrom the bed `to the stretcher.

Figure 2-is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on line2-2 of Figure 1.

AFigure 3 is .an-enlarged cross-.sectional detail view taken throughoneof the windlasshousings ofthe apparatus, on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4of Figure `5.

Figure 5 is ahorizontal cross-sectional detail view taken on line 5-5 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken online 6-6of Figure.

:Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse Vertical cross-sectionalview taken on lne'7-7 of Figure l .Figure 8 is an enlarged elevationaldetail view taken on line 8-8 4of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail viewtaken on line 9-9 ofFigure 1. Y

Figure .10 Vis an enlarged cross-sectional detail view taken on line.l0-1) of Figure 2.

VFigure ll is an enlargedplan view, partly inhorizont'al cross-section,of a patient transfer sheet member employed in the apparatus of Figureslto l0.

Figure 12 is an enlarged, .fragmentary transverse .verticalcross-sectional view taken on line 12-12 ofFig'ure '11.

.Figure 13 is an electrical Wiring diagram showing the electricalcircuit connections of the apparatus of Figures 1 'to l2.

Referring to the drawings, 14 designates a 'wheeled stretcher whichcomprises a lsuitable rectangular 'frame 15 `on which is supported thelusual stretcher pad 16, yas

2,733,452 Patented Feb. 7, `1,956

'2 shownn Figure 7,.said frame being provided at its corners withdependingpost elements 17 which are telescopically received inrespective tubular legs I18, shown in Figure 2, said tubular legs 18being rigidly connected, 'as by brace bars 19and 20, to form a rigidsubframe. Legs I8 are provided with suitable casters 21, preferably ofthe type having manually operated locking means so that the casters maybe at times locked to prevent undesired movement of the wheeledstretcher. Suitable elevating means for raising or lowering the upperframe relative to the subframe may be provided, as, for example, ahydraulic cylinder 22 mounted vertically 'on the subframe and having anelevating piston 23 secured to the upper frame 15. An elevating lever 24is pivoted at 25 to a depending bracket I26 secured `to cylinder 22,said lever being connected at 27 to the lactuating plunger of thehydraulic cylinder, so that the upper frame may be elevated by suitablyactuating the lever 24. Conventional manually controlled valve means,not shown, may be provided for lowering the upper frame 15 when desired.

The `above'described stretcher structure is in itself conventional -anddoes not form any part of the present invention. Obviously, other.equivalent types of wheeled stretcher-s may beemployed in placethereof.

`Secured in any suitable 'manner to the opposite ends of the-upperframeof the stretcher 14 are the vertical plate members 28 and 29 'which aresubstantiallycoextensive in .length with the frame ends and `which mayproject a shortdistanee above the stretcher pad 16, at-one side of thestretcher, as shown at 3d `and 31 in Figures l and 2. Secured betweenthe upwardly projecting plate 'end portions 30 and 3'1 and extendinglongitudinally along one side edge of the lstretcher pad `is anelongated windlass housing 32.

Designated at 33 isa second elongated windlass `housing which is rigidlysecured at its-ends to respective parallel barrnernbers 34,34. The barmembers 34, 34 are adjustably secured in -a fmanner presently to be`described to respective additional bar members 35, 35. Bar members 35,535 are -pivotally Vconnected at 36, -36 to respective upstanding lugs"37, 37 at the ends of the respective vertical plate members 2S and 29.

The bar members `34 are formed with longitudinal slots 38 through which'extend longitudinally spaced pairs of studs 39, 39 rigidly 'secured tothe respective bar members 35, 35. Wing nuts 4d are provided 'on thestuds 39, whereby the :bar members 434 and 35y may 'be locked inlongitudinally adjusted-relation to each othenand whereby the degree ofextension of the Windlass `housing 33 from the wheeled stretcher `14`may Ibe `adjusted in accordance with the Width of the yhospital bedwith which the lapparatus is to be used.

.Adjustably :secured tothe outer side of the windlass housing 33 `are `aplurality of generally L-shaped clamping `brackets 41, Vsaid bracketsbeing formed `with `vertical slots 42 through which extend .pairs ofvertically spaced studs 43, 43 rigidly secured to the outer side wall ofthe windlass housing 33. Wing nuts 44 are provided on the studs 43 `asshown in Figure `8, so that the brackets 41 may be Yat times ,lockedwith respect to -windlass housing 33. Theend flange 45 of-each bracket41 is preferablyat an Aangle of slightly more than ldegrees to the mainbody `of the 'bracket to rprovide a wedging action on the edge of 'themattress 46 `-of -a hospital bed when lthe yapparatus is positioned foruse, as will be presently described.-

.Respective outwardly projecting angle brackets 47, 47 areisecured tothe nrespective verticalplate members l28 and 29 adjacent the upstandingend portions 39 and 31 thereof, said brackets 47 .serving as supportsfor the bar members 34, '34'whenithe apparatus is in its foldedposition, namely, when the windlass housing 33 is in the positionthereot shown :in dotted view in Figure l`2.

Mounted on the central portion of the bottom wall 53 of windlass housingV33 isV an electric motor 48 having respective relatively small gears49, 49 secured on the opposite ends of its shaft. Gears 49, 49 mesh withrespective relatively large gears 50, 50 secured on respec tivelongitudinal shafts 51, 51 journalled on upstanding brackets 52, 52secured to bottom wall 53. Respective longitudinal shafts 54 arejournalled on brackets 55, 56 in alignment with the shafts 51, 51,shafts 54 being of larger diameter than shafts 51 and being formed withend bore portions 57 receiving the adjacent ends of the shafts 51. Theend portion of each shaft 54 is formed with a transverse slot 58 whichmay be aligned with a similar transverse slot 59 formed in the end oftheassociated shaft l. A transverse coupling bar 60 is secured to a rod6l extending slidably and axially through the associated shaft 54, asshown in Figure 3. Rod 61 extends through the end wall 62 of the housingand is provided with a handle knob 63. Thus, each shaft 54 may beuncoupled from its associated shaft 51 by moving its handle knoboutwardly, for example, to the position shown in dotted view in Figure3.

Siidably mounted on each shaft 54 and splined thereto so as to bepositively rotated therewith is a reel 64 on which is wound a cable 65.The cables 65 extend between respective pairs of vertical guide rollers66 journailed in the housing adjacent the opposite end portions of itsside wall 67, and through respective apertures 68, as shown in Figure 4.Secured to the end of each cable 65 is a snap hook 69, and secured onthe cable adjacent the snap hook is a block member 70.

A normally closed limit switch 71 is provided adjacent each aperture 68.Said switch may comprise a spring arm 72 secured to the inside surfaceof wall 67 and having a right-angled nger 73 extending through anaperture 74 in wall 67, as shown in Figure 5. Finger 73 is formed withan external lug 75 extending parallel to wall 67, said lug being formedwith a slot 76 through which cable 65 passes.V Arm 72 is provided with acontact element 77 which normally engages a fixed contact element 78secured to wall 67. The contact elements 77 and 78 are respectivelysuitably insulated from arm 72 and wall 67. As will be presentlyexplained, the respective pairs of contact elements 77, 78 are connectedin series with motor 48, so that the motor circuit is automaticallyopened when either of the block elements 70 engages the lug 75 of itsassociated limit switch 71.

The windlass housing 32 is similarly provided with a motor 48 coupled byrespective pairs of gears 49 and 50 to shafts 51', 51', which in turnare coupled to reel shafts on which are mounted respective reelscarrying respective cables 65', 65', as in the case of windlass housing33. Respective handle knobs 63', 63' are provided on the ends ofwindlass housing 32, which may be extended to uncouple the reel shaftsfrom driving shafts 51', as in Figure 3. The side wall 67 of windlasshousing 32 is provided with normally closed limit switches 71', 71having lug elements engageable by blocks 70 on the cables 65 to opensaid limit switches. The cables 65' are provided with snap hooks 69'similar to snap hooks 69.

The handle knobs 63, 63 and 63', 63' provide a means for at timesmanually uncoupling the reel shafts 54, 54 and 54', 54 from the driveshafts 51, 51 and 51', 51', and for enabling the reel shafts to berotated independently of each other and of said drive shafts, as when itis desired to manually pull out the cables 65 or 65', or to adjust thereel shafts to equalize the cables 65, 65 or 65', 65.

Referring to Figure 13, it will be seen that the motor 48 is connectedin series with limit switches 71, 71 bei tween the wires 79 and 80 of asuitable line cord 81 provided with a male double-prong plug 82. Cord 81extends from one end of the windlass housing 33. A female socket 83 ismounted on the end portion of the plate Y j 4 member 28, said femalesocket being adapted to receive the plug 82. Mounted on the top wall ofwindlass housing 32 adjacent the upwardly projecting portion 30 are amain control switch 84 and a single pole, double-throw switch 85. Switch85 has the stationary contacts 86 and 87. Contact 86 is connected by awire 88 to one terminal of female socket 83. The other terminal of saidsocket is connected to one wire 89 of a line cord 90. The other Wire 91of said line cord is connected through main control switch 84 to thepole of switch 85. Motor 48 is connected in series with limit switches71', 71' between contact 87 and line wire 89.

As will be readily apparent, when the pole of switch 85 engages contact87, motor 48' will be energized upon the closure of main switch 84.Motor 48' will operate to wind up cables 65', 65 and will becomedeenergized when the blocks 70 thereon engage the limit switches 71'.Similarly, the plug 82 engaged in socket 83, when the pole of switch 85is rotated into engagement with contact 86, motor 48 will be energizedto wind up cables 65, 65 and will become deenergized when the blocks 70thereof engage the limit switches 71.

A transfer sheet 92 is provided, said sheet comprising a suitable flatframework consisting, for example, of at longitudinal relatively thinmetal strips 93, 93 (see Figures ll and l2) connected at their ends byat, thin, transverse metal strips 94, 94 and being further connected bya plurality of spaced intermediate thin flat metal strips 95. Suitablepadding 96 is provided around the framework and a exible cover 97 ofsuitable sheet material, such as plastic sheet material, canvas, or thelike, surrounds the framework and padding. A rubber cushioning ring 98is provided in the peripheral edge portion of the envelope 97 to definea soft edge around the transfer sheet. Suitable grommets 98' areprovided at the corners of the transfer sheet, the overlapped welded, orotherwise connected end portions of the metal strips 93 and 94 beingsuitably apertured, as shown at 99, to receive said grommets.

In using the apparatus to transfer a patient, shown in dotted view at100, from a hospital bed 101 to the wheeled stretcher 14, the stretcheris rst positioned alongside the bed and the frame 15 thereof is elevatedby the hydraulic cylinder 22 until the transfer sheet 92 on thestretcher is substantially at the same level as the top surface of themattress 46. The casters 21 are then locked to prevent movement of thestretcher. The wing nuts 40 are loosened and the arms 34 are extendedwith respect to the arms 35. The windlass housing 33 is then rotatedfrom its dotted view position of Figure 2, over the bed, the windlasshousing 33 being then pushed toward the stretcher after the arms 34, 35have engaged the bed, whereby the clamp members 45 engage beneath theedge of the mattress, as shown in Figure 2, and wedgingly grip saidedge, thus clamping the bed sheet to the mattress. Wing nuts 40 are thentightened to lock arms 34 and 35. The handle knobs 63 are then pulledout and the cables 65, 65 are extended from the windlass housing 33suflicietly to allow the snap hooks 69 to be engaged with the grommets98 of transfer sheet 92 nearest the bed. The snap hooks 69' may beengaged with the remaining grommets 98', as shown in Figure l. Plug 82is then inserted in socket 83.

Handle knobs 63 may then be pushed back to their coupling positionsafter the cables 65 have been adjusted to equal tightness. The handleknobs 63' of housing 32 must then be pulled out to allow free unwindingof the cables 65' from housing 32.

Switch 85 is then set in the proper position to energize motor 48, andthe main control switch 84 is then closed. Motor 48 then operates towind up cables 65 on the reels 64, causing the transfer sheet 92 to moveslowly toward the patient 100. As the transfer sheet reaches thepatient, it is merely necessary to hold the patient stationary so as toallow the sheet to pass beneath arremete his body, no Ilifting or=rtiltin'gofthe p'atientis body 'being required. Y

The `envelope 97 Vof the :transfer sheet is preferably 'of relativelysmooth material rto allow the -transfer-sheet'to pass beneath the`pa'tients body with minimum friction `and discomfort tolthe patient.

After the `patient lis on 'the vtransfer sheet, the vmain switch S4 maybe opened, or,.alternatively, the transfer sheet may be allowed 'totravel `towardh'ousing '33 until one or both of the 'limitswtchesl71larefopened, as above described.` The handle knobs 63 ofhousing 33 -arethen pulled .out to uncoupling positions, land the handleknobs 63 vof 'housing 32 are pushed Vinwardlyto coupling :positions.Main switch 84 is then closed, if it has been previously opened, andswitch 85 is operated to the position wherein motor 48' will beenergized. The motor 48 then operates to cause cables 69' to be wound upon their reels, pulling the transfer sheet and the patient onto thestretcher. When the transfer sheet reaches its final position on thestretcher, the limit switches 71', 71 open and deenergize motor 48.

Snap hooks 69 are then disconnected from the transfer sheets, and cables65 are wound up on their reels, as by pushing the handle knobs 63 intotheir coupling positions and energizing motor 48 by means of switch 85.Wing nuts 40 may then be loosened to allow housing 33 to be disengagedfrom the edge of the mattress 46 and to allow the housing 33 to bereturned to its initial position, shown in dotted view in Figure 2.

The patient may then be transferred to the desired location on thewheeled stretcher. The patient may be transferred from the stretcher toa hospital bed by following a procedure similar to that above described,in which case the transfer sheet may be left on the hospital bed if itis not desired to unduly disturb the patient.

The windlass housings may be made of suitable sound insulating material,or may be internally padded or otherwise insulated to reduce mechanicalnoise to a minimum. The motors 4S and 48 are preferably shock-mounted,or otherwise suitably cushioned to prevent excessive noise therefrom.

While a specific embodiment of an improved patient transfer apparatushas been disclosed in the foregoing description, it Will be understoodthat various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occurto those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that nolimitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scopeofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher adapted to receive atransfer sheet, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of saidstretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, alongitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and beingspaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, cablereel means mounted on said reel shaft, and a pair of cables wound onsaid cable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to thetransfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause thetransfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reelshaft.

2. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher, a transfer sheet movablydisposed on said stretcher, support means pivoted to opposite endportions of said stretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse tothe stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said supportmeans and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotalconnection thereof, means for at times securing said reel shaft in anextended position substantially horizontally aligned with said transfersheet, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, and a pair of cableswound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged forconnection to the transfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaftwill cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretchertoward said reel shaft.

"3. 11n a Apatient transfer "device, a stretcher, a rtransfer sheetmovably disposed on said stretchergsupport means pivoted ito oppositeendportions-of said stretcher for Yro- 'tation inverti'cal planesftransvers Ito :the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft ijourn'alle'dto said xsupport means "and lbeing spaced a substantial fdistancefromthe pivotalconnection "thereof, means for at *times securing 'said :reelshaft in an extended nposition `substantially V'horizontally alignedwithsaid vtransfer sheet, cable reelmeans lmounted on said Areel shaft,a-pa'ir o'f Acables -wound onsa'id cable ireel means, said 4cables beingarranged "for connection 'to fthe transfer sheet, and amotor mountedonsaid 'support means 4`andV being -divingly v'connected to -said `reelishaft =to rotate :said "shaft, 4whereby rotation lo'f said reel shaftwill {cause -the `transfer sheet to be Amoved transverse to theystretcher ttoward :said reel shaft.

4. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher adapted to receive atransfer sheet, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of saidstretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, alongitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and beingspaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, cablereel means mounted on said reel shaft, a pair of cables wound on saidcable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to thetransfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause thetransfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reelshaft, a second reel shaft journalled to the stretcher parallel to saidfirst-named reel shaft, second cable reel means mounted on said secondreel shaft, and a pair of cables on said second reel means arranged forconnection at times to the transfer sheet.

5. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher, a transfer sheet movablydisposed on said stretcher,support means pivoted to opposite endportions of said strecther for rotation in vertical planes transverse tothe stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said supportmeans and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotalconnection thereof, means for at times securing said reel shaft in anextended position substantially horizontally aligned with said transfersheet, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, a pair of cableswound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged forconnection to the transfer sheet, a motor mounted on said support meansand being drivingly connected to said reel shaft to rotate said shaft,whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to bemoved transverse to the stretcher toward said reel shaft, a second reelshaft journalled to the stretcher parallel to said firstnamed reelshaft, second cable reel means mounted on said second reel shaft, a pairof cables on said second reel means arranged for connection at times tothe transfer sheet, and a second motor mounted on said stretcher andbeing drivingly connected to said second reel shaft.

6. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher adapted to receive atransfer sheet, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of saidstretcher at one side of said stretcher for rotation in vertical planestransverse to the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled tosaid support means and being spaced a substantial distance from thepivotal connection thereof, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft,a pair of cables wound on said cable reel means, said cables beingarranged for connection to the transfer sheet, whereby rotation of saidreel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to thestretcher toward said reel shaft, a second reel shaftV journalled to theother side of the stretcher parallel to said first reel shaft, secondcable reel means mounted on said second reel shaft, and a pair of cableson said second reel means arranged for connection at times to thetransfer sheet.

7. The structure of claim 6, and clamp elements carried by said supportmeans adjacent said first-named reel shaft and being arranged togrippingly engage a portion of a hospital bed beneath said first-namedreel shaft when Vthe irst-named heel shaft is in an extended positionwith respect to the stretcher.

8. In a hospital stretcher, first windlass means mounted at onelongitudinal side of the stretcher, support means pivoted to the otherside of the stretcher for rotation transverse to said stretcher, andsecond windlass means carried by said support means and being located inoutwardly spaced relation to said stretcher when said support means isrotated outwardly, said support means being arranged to allow saidsecond windlass means to be rotated over a patient to a position on theside of said patient opposite said stretcher when the stretcher isdisposed adjacent a hospital bed occupied by the patient.

9. The structure of claim 8, and means on said second windlass meansengageable with a portion of the bed to secure said second windlassmeans in said position.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,565,761 Dean Aug. 28, 1951 2,630,583 Gilleland Mar. 10, 1953`2,665,432 Butler Jan. 12, 1954

